What started out as just a management development programme for senior officials and government officials by Administrative Staff College of India, Hyderabad, way back in 1957, soon made the Special Committee of AICTE think over the inclusion of management as an academic discipline in higher education. Who would have thought that over a period of time, doing an MBA will become the dream of anyone who wants to reach heights in almost no time. But, unlike the saying – ‘too much of anything is bad’, too many of so called B-schools and too many of young aspirants (the market) have been successful in making almost half this world, worthy of being a manager.
So, does that mean that all those are capable of becoming good managers or just a degree on their names is sufficient in authenticating their intellect? I disagree with that because I do urge every aspirant to aim for only top B-schools (namely, IIMs, MDI, XLRI, S.P. Jain, NMIMS, IIFT, FMS and so on) and reach their best levels as only that will ensure a true recognition in this field and will make their dreams come true. And that’s where CAT and other top B-school entrance exams come into picture.
Many people think of a good B-school as the one that provides good placements. But, that should not be the sole criterion to judge it as education is one such thing that always pays in life. So, even during a bad economy season, such as in recession, you can go ahead and pursue your MBA education. However, you need to be very specific in the specialization you would be opting for as the right decision can help you fetch a high income job for your successful future.
As I mentioned before, doing an MBA is becoming a shortcut to a happy life and hence, it is quite obvious that the competition in these exams will be of cutthroat level, consequentially giving a mental image of one of the toughest test.
However, CAT, in my opinion, is not as tough as it is made out to be. If you approach it just as any other exam, be mentally strong and know your weak and strong areas, then there is no reason to fear. In CAT, the aspirant is expected to possess the basic level of aptitude and common sense on which one is tested. Apart from that, the single most important factor that goes on deciding one’s performance in CAT is the attitude with which one approaches the paper. One should not sit in the exam with a set mindset as CAT changes pattern every year. One should be determined and should be able to think on one’s feet.
The second thing that plays a vital role in clearing CAT is getting your basics right – the ones that you studied at school, be it maths or english or general communication skills. Also, the aspirant’s whole life’s education is tested, not only in terms of reading comprehension in CAT (which will be a cakewalk for some who are in the habit of reading novels or newspapers or magazines) but also in terms of the personality one has developed. This will be tested at the second level of getting in a good B-school, which is a combination of group discussions and personal interviews. CAT is just a sort of an elimination round wherein the students are shortlisted for this second more difficult level.
The real competitor to whom you would be competing with in these B-school entrance exams would be your fear. If you are able to defeat it and outshine everybody else by your sheer attitude and the right kind of discipline in your preparation, which is not about how much you prepare but rather what and how consistently you prepare, you CAN and WILL crack CAT and find yourself basking under the roofs of one of the best B-schools.
In the end, all I would like to say is:
Act in the valley so that you need not fear those who stand on the hill.
Richa Ratna, an MBA from IMT Ghaziabad, is a dedicated DA and GDPI faculty. The kind of passion, ability, and energy that she exudes in her interactions with students is remarkable and makes her a favorite among students.
My experience with MBAGuru has been awesome. The dedication of the faculty and their ability to strike a chord makes MBAGuru most distinct. The guidance and motivation has left a deep impression on my mind. The test series and the YOUnique tests were literally unique ... the concept of having GD-PI prep from the start only made the post CAT time very less stressful for me and it did help a lot even during my campus placements.
